SAINTS proposed move to appoint Jesse Marsch as their new manager now appears to be off after talks broke down between the club and the American.

Marsch had held meetings with the Saints hierarchy earlier in the week and it was expected that the 49-year-old would be officially unveiled as the club's new boss ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea.

Now though, Saints will have to continue their search for a third permanent manager of the season.

As first reported by Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph, talks broke down with Marsch due to a failure to come to an agreement around his contract length after the club was unwilling to give him a long-term deal.

The Telegraph have added that Ruben Selles will lead the team from the touchline at Stamford Bridge and that the club still see him as a 'viable' longer-term option - possibly alongside a more experienced coach. 

Selles, who is highly regarded within the club, has been taking first-team training this week following Nathan Jones's sacking on Sunday.

Saints sit bottom of the Premier League table after losing seven of the eight games under Jones. Currently four points adrift of safety, any new boss faces a mammoth challenge to steer them away from trouble.